CAR – Religious leaders receive an award for their peace efforts

Three top religious leaders in Central African Republic have received an award for their tireless work in promoting peace in the country. Catholic Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui, Imam Oumar Kobine Layama, President of the Central African Islamic Community and Nicolas Guérékoyame-Gbangou, President of the Evangelical Alliance of the Central African Republic are the founders of the “platform of Religious for Peace" in their country. They were among five groups selected by the US non-governmental organization Search For Common Ground for their commitment to the promotion of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims. The three religious leaders worked tirelessly to prevent the conflict in CAR from degenerating into an all-out war between Christians and Muslims. "It is an award given to people who in the midst of violence have managed to give an alternative message, that of love, tolerance, social cohesion, of living together", Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga told the Fides news agency. For their efforts TIME Magazine named them among the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014.